Southern California -- this just in

Fullerton officer Manuel Ramos released on bail

September 29, 2011 | 4:50
am

Fullerton police officer Manuel Ramos, accused of second-degree murder in the death of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man, has bailed out of jail, according to the Orange County Jail's inmate-locator website.

The website lists Ramos as "released" shortly after midnight Thursday, with "bond posted."

Ramos, 37, a 10-year veteran of the department, was one of two officers charged last week by Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckus in the death of Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, in downtown Fullerton in July. The case is believed to be the first time an on-duty police officer has been charged with murder in Orange County.